Beautiful and rare Victorian-era figural match holder by James W. Tufts of Boston, Massachusetts, model number 2692. Measures approximately 3 inches high and weighs 200 grams. Features a detailed sculpted English Setter or spaniel standing against a cylindrical match container with an ornate pierced rim. Made of silver-plated metal, this unique piece serves decorative and functional accessory. The bottom is stamped with the Tufts hallmark. Circa 1870s–1890s. A charming and collectible item for lovers of antique silverplate, figural desk accessories, or dog-themed décor.
History of James W. Tufts Company
James Walker Tufts (1835–1902) was a prominent American businessman, inventor, and philanthropist. In the 1870s, he founded the James W. Tufts Company in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in silver-plated tableware, novelties, and hotel ware. His company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality, ornate, and affordable silver-plated items, often rivaling the more expensive sterling silver pieces of the time.
Tufts used the quadruple plate process, a heavy silver-plating technique that significantly increased the durability and richness of the finish. His products included tea sets, pitchers, napkin rings, figural toothpick and match holders, and other decorative tableware and desk items. Many were stamped with the company’s hallmark: a circle containing his name, location, and a star emblem, often with a model number.
In 1891, the James W. Tufts Company became one of the four firms consolidated into the American Silver Company (alongside Meriden Silver Plate Co., Rogers & Bros., and Wilcox Silver Plate Co.). This merger helped centralize and grow the silverplate industry in the U.S., particularly in Meriden, Connecticut.
Despite the merger, pieces bearing the James W. Tufts name continued to be produced into the early 20th century, especially those already in popular demand.
Tufts himself went on to establish the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina in the 1890s, using his wealth to develop a world-renowned health and golf destination still operating today.
